Position OverviewThe Procurement Engineer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers for fiber optic cable assemblies and related components. This role ensures material availability, cost competitiveness, quality compliance, and on-time delivery in alignment with production schedules and customer requirements typical of a contract manufacturing environment.Key Responsibilities1. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier ManagementSource and qualify suppliers for fiber optic components including: Optical fibers, cables, connectors (LC, SC, MPO, etc.)Ferrules, adapters, transceivers, boots, heat shrink, and consumablesDevelop and maintain approved vendor lists (AVL) in accordance with quality requirementsConduct supplier evaluations, audits, and performance reviewsIdentify alternate sources to mitigate supply chain risks2. Procurement & Cost ManagementPrepare RFQs/RFPs and evaluate vendor quotationsNegotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and contractsDrive cost reduction initiatives through: Value engineeringVolume pricingLong-term agreementsTrack commodity price trends and forecast cost impact3. Materials Planning & Production SupportEnsure timely procurement of materials to meet production schedulesCollaborate closely with planning, engineering, and production teamsMonitor inventory levels and avoid shortages or excess stockSupport NPI (New Product Introduction) material readiness4. Quality & ComplianceEnsure procured materials meet customer, drawing, and specification requirementsSupport incoming quality issues, supplier corrective actions (SCARs), and root-cause analysisEnsure compliance to industry standards (e.g., Telcordia, IEC, RoHS, REACH)Maintain proper documentation such as COCs, MSDS, and test reports5. Contract Manufacturing SupportManage customer-specified and free-issue materialsSupport cost roll-ups and BOM costing for quotationsMaintain traceability requirements typical for telecom and datacom customersSupport audit requirements (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, customer audits)6. Data & Systems ManagementMaintain accurate procurement data in ERP/MRP systemsTrack KPIs such as OTD, PPV, supplier quality, and lead-time adherencePrepare procurement reports and dashboards for management reviewRequired QualificationsEducationBachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Industrial, or equivalent)Experience3–6 years of procurement or supply chain experience in: Fiber opticsElectronics manufacturingCable assembly or EMS environment (preferred)Experience in contract manufacturing is strongly preferredTechnical SkillsStrong understanding of fiber optic components and manufacturing processesKnowledge of BOM structures, drawings, and technical specificationsExperience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.)Proficiency in MS Excel and data analysisSoft Skills & CompetenciesStrong negotiation and supplier relationship skillsAnalytical and cost-focused mindsetAbility to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environmentExcellent communication and documentation skillsHigh level of ownership and attention to detailKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)Material availability / line stoppagesCost savings achievedSupplier on-time delivery (OTD)Supplier quality performanceInventory turns and excess management
Job Title
Senior Procurement Engineer